Amos 7:15

KJV

And the LORD took me as I followed the flock, and the LORD said unto me, Go, prophesy unto my people Israel.

KJV (with Strong's)

And the LORD {H3068} took {H3947} me as I followed {H310} the flock {H6629}, and the LORD {H3068} said {H559} unto me, Go {H3212}, prophesy {H5012} unto my people {H5971} Israel {H3478}.

Complete Jewish Bible

But ADONAI took me away from following the flock, and ADONAI said to me, 'Go, prophesy to my people Isra'el.'

Berean Standard Bible

But the LORD took me from following the flock and said to me, ‘Go, prophesy to My people Israel.’

American Standard Version

and Jehovah took me from following the flock, and Jehovah said unto me, Go, prophesy unto my people Israel.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Amos 7:15 serves as a pivotal declaration by the prophet Amos, asserting the divine origin and authority of his prophetic ministry. In direct response to the challenge from Amaziah, the priest of Bethel, Amos clarifies that his call was not self-appointed or politically motivated, but rather an undeniable and sovereign act of God, who took him from his humble life as a shepherd and commanded him to prophesy to the Northern Kingdom of Israel. This verse underscores God's unexpected choices and the imperative of obedience to His divine commission.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is the climax of a direct confrontation between Amos and Amaziah, the chief priest of the royal sanctuary at Bethel. Amaziah, viewing Amos as a political agitator and a threat to King Jeroboam II's reign, commands him to return to Judah and prophesy there, accusing him of conspiracy against the king ([Amos 7:10-13](/amos/7-10-13 "Amaziah's Accusation Against Amos")). Amos's response in [Amos 7:14-15](/amos/7-14-15 "Amos's Defense of His Call") is a powerful defense of his prophetic authenticity, clarifying that his ministry is not a profession or a personal ambition but a direct, unbidden divine mandate. He explicitly states his former occupation as a shepherd and a dresser of sycamore figs, highlighting his non-professional status before God's call. This exchange is strategically placed after a series of visions depicting God's judgment on Israel, emphasizing that the pronouncements of judgment are not Amos's own words but God's.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The setting is the Northern Kingdom of Israel during the reign of Jeroboam II (c. 786-746 BC), a period of significant material prosperity and territorial expansion, but also profound spiritual and moral decay. While the nation enjoyed political stability and economic success, it was plagued by social injustice, idolatry, and religious syncretism, particularly at royal sanctuaries like Bethel, where Amaziah served. Professional prophets often existed in guilds or served at royal courts, sometimes prophesying what the king wished to hear. Amos, however, was a layman from Tekoa, a small town in Judah (the Southern Kingdom), far from the centers of power and prophetic training. His declaration that "I was no prophet, neither was I a prophet's son" ([Amos 7:14](/amos/7-14 "Amos's Humble Origins")) directly challenges Amaziah's assumption that Amos was a professional prophet seeking gain or political influence, emphasizing instead his unique and direct call from Yahweh, transcending typical human structures of authority.

* **Key Themes:** Amos 7:15 powerfully contributes to several overarching themes in the book of Amos and the broader prophetic tradition. Firstly, it underscores the **Sovereignty of God in Calling**, demonstrating that God chooses His instruments independently of human qualifications or expectations, often selecting the humble and unexpected to deliver His weighty messages. This resonates with the divine selection seen in figures like [Moses](/exodus/3-10 "Moses's Call at the Burning Bush") or [David](/1_samuel/16-11-13 "David Anointed King"). Secondly, the verse highlights the **Authenticity and Authority of the Prophetic Word**. By emphasizing that "the LORD took me" and "the LORD said unto me," Amos asserts that his message is not his own opinion but a direct divine revelation, carrying the full weight of God's authority, even when it is unpopular or challenging to the established order. This divine commission validates his harsh pronouncements of judgment against Israel's sins, as seen throughout [Amos's prophecies](/amos/1 "The Prophecies of Amos"). Lastly, it emphasizes the **Obligation of Obedience to Divine Commission**. Despite the personal cost and opposition, Amos's immediate response to "Go, prophesy" exemplifies the prophet's primary duty: to faithfully deliver God's message, regardless of the consequences or the audience's reception.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **LORD (Hebrew, _Yᵉhôvâh'_):** From H3068, this refers to the self-Existent or Eternal God, Jehovah, the Jewish national name of God. In Amos 7:15, the repetition of "the LORD" (Yahweh) emphasizes that the divine initiative for Amos's call and commission originates solely from the covenant God of Israel, not from human will or circumstance. This highlights the absolute authority and sovereignty behind Amos's prophetic mandate.
* **took (Hebrew, _lâqach'_):** From H3947, this primitive root means "to take (in the widest variety of applications)." Here, it denotes a decisive, authoritative, and active taking or seizing. It signifies that Amos was not merely invited or asked, but rather divinely apprehended and removed from his ordinary life. This forceful "taking" underscores the irresistible nature of God's call and Amos's passive reception of it, emphasizing that his ministry was entirely God's doing.
* **prophesy (Hebrew, _nâbâʼ'_):** From H5012, this primitive root means "to prophesy, i.e., speak (or sing) by inspiration (in prediction or simple discourse)." It signifies speaking on behalf of God, delivering His message with divine authority. This is the core function of a prophet, and God's command to Amos to "prophesy unto my people Israel" defines his new, divinely appointed role and the specific audience for his message.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And the LORD took me as I followed the flock":** This clause establishes the divine origin of Amos's call, emphasizing God's active intervention in his life. Amos was not seeking prophetic office; he was engaged in his ordinary, humble occupation of tending sheep. The phrase "took me" (from _lâqach_) conveys a forceful, decisive action, indicating that God sovereignly apprehended Amos, removing him from his previous life and setting him apart for a new purpose. It highlights God's initiative and Amos's passive, yet obedient, reception of the call.
* **"and the LORD said unto me":** This second mention of "the LORD" (Yahweh) reinforces the divine authority behind the subsequent command. It signifies a direct, personal communication from God to Amos, leaving no doubt about the source of his commission. This is not a human appointment or a self-proclaimed mission, but a clear, verbal directive from the sovereign God of Israel.
* **"Go, prophesy unto my people Israel":** This is the explicit divine command that defines Amos's prophetic ministry. "Go" signifies a sending, a mission to be undertaken. "Prophesy" (from _nâbâʼ_) clarifies the nature of the mission: to speak God's word. The designation "my people Israel" is crucial, as it identifies the specific audience and highlights God's continuing covenant relationship with them, even as He sends a prophet to declare judgment against their sins. This phrase underscores God's persistent love and concern for His chosen nation, despite their rebellion.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several significant literary devices. **Repetition** of "the LORD" (Yahweh) at the beginning of both main clauses ("And the LORD took me..." and "and the LORD said unto me...") serves to emphasize the singular divine agency and authority behind Amos's call and commission. This repetition underscores that Amos's ministry is entirely God-initiated and God-directed. Furthermore, there is a clear **Contrast** between Amos's humble, earthly occupation ("as I followed the flock") and his elevated, divine commission ("Go, prophesy unto my people Israel"). This juxtaposition highlights God's sovereign choice of an unlikely individual for an extraordinary task, a common motif in biblical narratives. The verse also functions as a concise **Divine Call Narrative**, a literary pattern found throughout Scripture that describes God's initiation of a person into special service. Though brief, it contains the essential elements: God's initiative, the call itself, and the commission.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Amos 7:15 profoundly articulates the nature of divine calling and prophetic authority, asserting that true ministry originates from God's sovereign choice rather than human ambition or qualification. It underscores God's freedom to choose His messengers from any background, demonstrating His power to equip the seemingly unqualified for His purposes. This divine initiative ensures the authenticity and authority of the message delivered, making it God's word, not merely human opinion. The verse also highlights the essential obedience required of those called, emphasizing that the prophet's primary duty is to faithfully deliver the divine mandate, regardless of personal cost or popular reception. This divine commission stands in stark contrast to the self-serving or institutionally constrained prophecies that might have been prevalent in Amos's day.

* [Exodus 3:10](/exodus/3-10 "Moses's Commission to Pharaoh")
* [Jeremiah 1:4-10](/jeremiah/1-4-10 "Jeremiah's Call and Commission")
* [1 Corinthians 1:26-29](/1_corinthians/1-26-29 "God Chooses the Weak and Foolish")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Amos 7:15 offers profound encouragement and challenge for believers today, reminding us that God's call is not limited by our perceived qualifications, social standing, or past experiences. Just as Amos was taken from his flock, God continues to call ordinary individuals into extraordinary service for His kingdom. This verse invites us to consider that our true effectiveness in ministry stems not from our own abilities or training, but from the divine commission and empowerment of the Holy Spirit. It challenges us to cultivate a posture of readiness and obedience, recognizing that God often uses the humble and overlooked to accomplish His greatest works. Furthermore, it calls us to courage in proclaiming God's truth, even when it is counter-cultural or unpopular, trusting that the authority of the message rests in the One who sent us, not in our own eloquence or influence. Our primary allegiance, like Amos's, must be to the divine Caller and His word.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what ways might God be "taking" you from your ordinary routines or comfort zones to serve Him in unexpected ways?**
* **How does understanding Amos's divine commission challenge your own assumptions about who God uses for His purposes?**
* **What "flock" or familiar setting might God be calling you away from, and what "people" might He be sending you to "prophesy" (speak His truth) to?**
* **How can you cultivate a deeper sense of obedience to God's call, even when it seems daunting or unpopular?**

### FAQ
**Was Amos a professional prophet, or did he come from a prophetic guild?**

Answer: No, Amos explicitly states in [Amos 7:14](/amos/7-14 "Amos's Background") that he was "no prophet, neither was I a prophet's son." This means he was not part of the established prophetic guilds or schools, nor was prophecy a family profession for him. He was a shepherd and a dresser of sycamore figs, a humble agricultural worker from Tekoa in Judah. His declaration in [Amos 7:15](/amos/7-15 "Amos's Divine Call") emphasizes that his call was a direct, unbidden divine intervention from the LORD, setting him apart from professional prophets and validating the authenticity and authority of his message as solely from God.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Amos 7:15, with its emphasis on God's sovereign call of an unexpected individual, finds its ultimate fulfillment and amplification in the person and ministry of Jesus Christ. Just as Amos was "taken" from his humble occupation to prophesy, Jesus, though fully divine, "emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men" ([Philippians 2:7](/philippians/2-7 "The Humiliation of Christ")). He came not from the established religious elite, but from a humble background in Nazareth ([John 1:46](/john/1-46 "Can anything good come out of Nazareth?")). More profoundly, Jesus is the ultimate Prophet, the very Word of God incarnate ([John 1:1](/john/1-1 "In the beginning was the Word")). He was not merely sent to "prophesy unto my people Israel" but to be the fulfillment of all prophecy, speaking the very words of God with unparalleled authority ([John 12:49-50](/john/12-49-50 "Jesus Speaks the Father's Words")). His entire ministry was a direct commission from the Father, culminating in His ultimate act of obedience on the cross, taking away the sin of the world ([John 1:29](/john/1-29 "Jesus, the Lamb of God")). Thus, Amos's experience foreshadows the divine initiative, the humble origins, and the authoritative, God-given mission of the Messiah, who perfectly embodies the divine call and perfectly fulfills the prophetic office.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

2 Samuel 7:8

Now therefore so shalt thou say unto my servant David, Thus saith the LORD of hosts, I took thee from the sheepcote, from following the sheep, to be ruler over my people, over Israel:

Ezekiel 2:3

And he said unto me, Son of man, I send thee to the children of Israel, to a rebellious nation that hath rebelled against me: they and their fathers have transgressed against me, [even] unto this very day.

Ezekiel 2:4

For [they are] impudent children and stiffhearted. I do send thee unto them; and thou shalt say unto them, Thus saith the Lord GOD.

Matthew 4:18

¶ And Jesus, walking by the sea of Galilee, saw two brethren, Simon called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea: for they were fishers.

Matthew 4:19

And he saith unto them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.

Psalms 78:70

He chose David also his servant, and took him from the sheepfolds:

Psalms 78:72

So he fed them according to the integrity of his heart; and guided them by the skilfulness of his hands.